Top 5 NASDAQ Genetics Stocks (Updated March 2023)

Year-to-date gain: 316.74 percent; market cap: US$387.73 million; current share price: US$8.96

Through its expanded genetic code technology platform, clinical-stage biopharma company Ambrx Biopharma is discovering and developing engineered precision therapies. The company’s portfolio of advanced clinical and preclinical programs is designed to improve efficacy and safety in the treatment of a number of cancer indications, such as prostate and breast cancers.

In March, Ambrx released positive results from a Phase 3 clinical study of its proprietary antibody-drug conjugate candidate ARX788, which was targeting HER2 positive metastatic breast cancer. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted fast-track designation for ARX788 in HER2 positive metastatic breast cancer and orphan drug designation for ARX788 in gastric cancer, while China’s National Medical Products Administration has given ARX788 breakthrough therapy designations in breast cancer.

Year-to-date gain: 279.9 percent; market cap: US$945.99 million; current share price: US$31.95

Clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company Biomea Fusion’s proprietary FUSION System has allowed it to discover, develop and advance a pipeline of covalent-binding therapeutic agents targeting genetically defined cancers and metabolic diseases.

The company’s lead investigational drug candidate, BMF-219, is a covalent menin inhibitor with oncological and type 2 diabetes indications across three ongoing clinical trials: a Phase 1 study for its use in treating various leukemias, large B-cell lymphoma and multiple myeloma; a Phase 1/1b study for use in treating non-small cell lung cancer, colorectal cancer and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma; and a Phase I/II study for type 2 diabetes.

In 2023, Biomea Fusion plans to advance all three programs and deliver multiple clinical trial results throughout the year. Investors can also look forward to the advancement of its second product candidate, BMF-500, to clinical trials with an investigational new drug filing expected during the first half of the year.

Year-to-date gain: 144.54 percent; market cap: US$24.71 million; current share price: US$2.91

Tempest Therapeutics is a clinical-stage oncology company advancing small-molecule therapeutics that modulate anti-tumor immunity pathways with the potential to treat a wide range of tumors. The company’s portfolio consists of clinical programs in various stages, from early research to investigational global studies.

Tempest is looking forward to a number of catalysts in 2023, including the release of data from a first-line randomized study with Roche Holding (OTCQX:RHHBF,SWX:ROG) for its drug candidate TPST-1120, which is targeting hepatocellular carcinoma, and Phase 1 clinical data for its TPST-1495 EP2/4 prostaglandin receptor antagonist, which is targeting multiple types of solid tumors.

Year-to-date gain: 140.51 percent; market cap: US$140.09 million; current share price: US$5.70

Reneo Pharmaceuticals is a clinical-stage company working to develop and commercialize therapies for patients with rare genetic mitochondrial diseases. Its lead product candidate is mavodelpar, which has been shown to increase transcription of genes involved in mitochondrial function and increase fatty acid oxidation; it may also increase the production of new mitochondria.

In March, Reneo achieved the target enrollment for its STRIDE study of mavodelpar in primary mitochondrial myopathies. The company expects to put out top-line data in the fourth quarter and in 2024 will submit that data, along with long-term safety information, to the FDA and the European Medicines Agency (EMA).

Year-to-date gain: 133.09 percent; market cap: US$3.33 billion; current share price: US$90.02

Texas-based Reata Pharmaceuticals is a biopharmaceutical company developing novel therapies for a variety of life-threatening chronic diseases with unmet therapeutic needs. The company’s pipeline targets molecular pathways involved in the regulation of cellular metabolism and inflammation.

Reata's Skyclarys (omaveloxolone) recently received FDA approval for the treatment of Friedreich's ataxia, a debilitating neuromuscular disease. The drug is under review by the EMA. The company is also developing bardoxolone methyl for the treatment of patients with chronic kidney disease and cemdomespib for the treatment of patients with diabetic neuropathic pain.